Rediscovering Rest: Embracing the Gift of Sabbath

Devotional

Day 1: The Necessity of Rest

Rest is essential in a world obsessed with metrics and productivity. We often find ourselves caught up in the constant measurement of our steps, sleep, stress levels, and even social media interactions. This relentless focus on quantification can be exhausting and dehumanizing. However, rest is crucial for our well-being. The Sabbath serves as a powerful reminder that we are valued for who we are, not just for what we achieve. Taking time to rest helps us reconnect with God and ourselves, allowing us to find peace and wholeness. Jesus emphasized this when He said that the Sabbath was made for us, not the other way around. This principle extends to all the metrics we encounter; they are meant to serve us, not define us. [01:25]

Exodus 31:15 (ESV): "Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the Lord. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day shall be put to death."

Reflection: In what ways have you allowed metrics and productivity to define your worth? How can you intentionally set aside time this week to rest and reconnect with God?

Day 2: The Sabbath as a Reset Button

The Sabbath is like a reset button for our souls, a day to break free from the pressure to measure up. It helps us reclaim our identity and humanity, reminding us that we are loved, chosen, and free. This day of rest points to a future of perfect peace and healing. Just as Jesus healed a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath, prioritizing the man's restoration over rigid rules, we too can use the Sabbath to focus on what truly matters. The Sabbath is a gift, a time to step back, breathe, and reconnect with God. It helps us remember that our value comes from being loved by God, not from our achievements. [03:00]

Isaiah 58:13-14 (ESV): "If you turn back your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight and the holy day of the Lord honorable; if you honor it, not going your own ways, or seeking your own pleasure, or talking idly; then you shall take delight in the Lord, and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth; I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken."

Reflection: How can you make the Sabbath a "reset button" for your soul? What specific activities or practices can you incorporate to help you reconnect with God and find peace?

Day 3: Jesus Prioritizes People Over Rules

Jesus' healing of the man with the withered hand on the Sabbath shows that He values people over rigid rules and metrics. His anger at the synagogue reflects God's deep desire to heal and restore us. This story reminds us that our worth is not in our achievements but in being loved by God. Jesus demonstrated that the Sabbath is a time for restoration and healing, not just a day of rest. By prioritizing the man's restoration over the strict observance of Sabbath rules, Jesus showed that God's love and compassion are paramount. This teaches us that our value comes from being loved by God, not from adhering to rigid standards or achieving certain metrics. [04:31]

Mark 3:4-5 (ESV): "And he said to them, 'Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?' But they were silent. And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, 'Stretch out your hand.' He stretched it out, and his hand was restored."

Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you prioritize rules or metrics over people? How can you follow Jesus' example in valuing and restoring others?

Day 4: Our Identity in God

We often forget that we are special creations loved by God, getting caught up in the daily grind. The Sabbath helps us remember that our worth comes from being loved by God, not from our accomplishments. It's a time to live in God's grace and experience His peace. By taking a step back from our busy lives, we can reconnect with our true identity as children of God. This day of rest is a reminder that we are loved, chosen, and free. It points to a future of perfect peace and healing, helping us reclaim our identity and humanity. [03:00]

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

Reflection: How often do you find your identity in your achievements rather than in being a child of God? What steps can you take to remind yourself of your true identity in Christ?

Day 5: Finding Sabbath Rest

Finding what brings us Sabbath rest is essential for our spiritual and emotional well-being. Whether it's walking, exercising, baking, reading, or simply being, these activities help us reconnect with God and ourselves. Our identity is not in our work but in being children of God. The Sabbath is a gift, a time to step back, breathe, and reconnect with God. It helps us remember that our value comes from being loved by God, not from our achievements. By engaging in activities that bring us rest and joy, we can experience God's grace and peace more fully. [04:31]

Hebrews 4:9-10 (ESV): "So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his."

Reflection: What activities bring you true rest and help you reconnect with God? How can you incorporate these activities into your weekly routine to experience Sabbath rest?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

It's wonderful to be back with you this week, and I am grateful to Pastor Vicki Blau for filling in for me last week. I recently returned from what I call my midlife crisis retreat, a time to gain clarity, write, and rest. Rest is crucial, yet often taken for granted. We live in a world where everything is quantified—our steps, sleep, stress levels, and even our social media interactions. This constant measurement can be exhausting. However, in our gospel reading from Mark, Jesus reminds us that the Sabbath is made for us, not the other way around. This principle extends to all the metrics we encounter; they are meant to serve us, not define us.

I used to be caught up in the productivity race, believing my worth was tied to my achievements. This mindset was draining until I realized that I am more than my accomplishments. The Sabbath became a powerful reminder that I am valued for who I am, not just what I do. It's a day to step back, breathe, and reconnect with God. Jesus demonstrated this when He healed a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath, prioritizing the man's restoration over rigid rules. His anger at the synagogue reflects God's deep desire to heal and restore us.

The Sabbath is a gift, a reset button for our souls. It helps us reclaim our identity and humanity, reminding us that we are loved, chosen, and free. It points to a future of perfect peace and healing. Like the man with the withered hand, we often forget our worth and get caught up in the daily grind. Keeping the Sabbath helps us remember that our value comes from being loved by God, not from our achievements. It's a time to live in God's grace, connect with Him, and experience peace.

So, take time to find what brings you Sabbath rest. Whether it's walking, exercising, baking, reading, or simply being, these activities help us reconnect with God and ourselves. Our identity is not in our work but in being children of God. May we always seek to make God known.

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Key Takeaways

1. being. The Sabbath serves as a reminder that we are valued for who we are, not just what we achieve. Taking time to rest helps us reconnect with God and ourselves, allowing us to find peace and wholeness. [01:25]
2. Sabbath as a Reset Button: The Sabbath is like a reset button for our souls, a day to break free from the pressure to measure up. It helps us reclaim our identity and humanity, reminding us that we are loved, chosen, and free. This day of rest points to a future of perfect peace and healing.

3. Jesus Prioritizes People Over Rules: Jesus' healing of the man with the withered hand on the Sabbath shows that He values people over rigid rules and metrics. His anger at the synagogue reflects God's deep desire to heal and restore us. This story reminds us that our worth is not in our achievements but in being loved by God.

4. Our Identity in God: We often forget that we are special creations loved by God, getting caught up in the daily grind. The Sabbath helps us remember that our worth comes from being loved by God, not from our accomplishments. It's a time to live in God's grace and experience His peace.

5. Finding Sabbath Rest: Finding what brings us Sabbath rest is essential for our spiritual and emotional well-being. Whether it's walking, exercising, baking, or simply being, these activities help us reconnect with God and ourselves. Our identity is not in our work but in being children of God.

### [01:25]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:25] - The Exhaustion of Metrics
[03:00] - Jesus and the Sabbath
[04:31] - Finding True Rest
[05:45] - Our Identity in God
[07:00] - Practical Ways to Rest

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Jesus say about the purpose of the Sabbath in Mark 2:27-28?
In Mark 3:1-5, what was the reaction of the people in the synagogue when Jesus healed the man with the withered hand?
According to the sermon, how does Jesus' healing on the Sabbath illustrate His priorities? [03:00]
What activities did the pastor suggest could bring Sabbath rest? [04:31]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Jesus emphasize that the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath? How does this change our understanding of rest? [01:25]
How does Jesus' anger in Mark 3:5 reflect God's desire for our well-being and restoration? [03:00]
What does the healing of the man with the withered hand teach us about the value Jesus places on people over rules? [03:00]
How can the concept of the Sabbath as a "reset button" for our souls help us reclaim our identity and humanity? [03:00]

Application Questions

Reflect on your current lifestyle. Are you caught up in the productivity race? How can you incorporate Sabbath rest into your weekly routine to reconnect with God and yourself? [01:25]
Think about a time when you felt your worth was tied to your achievements. How can you remind yourself that your value comes from being loved by God, not from what you accomplish? [01:25]
Jesus prioritized healing and restoration over rigid rules. How can you apply this principle in your interactions with others, especially in situations where rules or expectations might conflict with compassion? [03:00]
Identify one activity that brings you peace and helps you feel connected to God. How can you make this a regular part of your Sabbath practice? [04:31]
The pastor mentioned various activities like walking, exercising, baking, or simply being as ways to find Sabbath rest. Which of these activities resonate with you, and how can you incorporate them into your life to experience God's grace and peace? [04:31]
How can you help others in your community understand the importance of the Sabbath and encourage them to find their own ways to rest and reconnect with God? [04:31]
Reflect on the story of the man with the withered hand. Is there an area in your life where you need healing or restoration? How can you bring this to God during your Sabbath rest? [03:00]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "Rest is really important for us, and sometimes we take that for granted. You ever feel like we're living in a world where everything has a number attached to it? I mean our smart watches track how many steps we take, how we sleep, and even our stress levels. Then there's those surveys we get after everything that we do, like can I just buy tea at a coffee place without getting a follow-up email asking how my latte was? And don't even get me started on social media. It's like our worth is tied to how many likes and followers we have. It's exhausting, isn't it?" [01:25](

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2. "So here's the thing. I've come to see that Sabbath is like a reset button for our souls. It's a chance to break free from the pressure to measure up and find our worth in something deeper than numbers. It's a day to reclaim our identity, our humanity, and our connection with God." [03:00](

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3. "We are not the sum total of our achievements and accomplishments. We need to reconnect with God and ourselves and to find that wholeness that God creates in the first place when everything is good. Our identity is not our work, friends, and Jesus reminds us of that. Our identity is that we are children of God, seeking always to make God known." [04:31](

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### Quotes for Members

1. "In our gospel reading from Mark, Jesus says something pretty cool about the Sabbath. He says it's for us, not the other way around. And you know what? I think the same goes for all those numbers and metrics. We weren't made for the data. It's meant to serve us." [01:25](

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2. "Jesus cares more about the person, more about a person's restoration, healing, and wholeness than some set of rules, obligations, and metrics. He gets angry. And some scholars, some Greek scholars say that you can even use the word rage here. See, here is the key to the story. Jesus knew that the Sabbath was a gift, a day set aside for us to rest in. And he knew that the Sabbath was a time to rest and recharge. It's a time to remember who we truly are and who we are. We're loved, we're chosen, and we're free." [03:00](

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3. "Like it or not, we can all relate to the man with the withered hand. We often forget who we are, special creations who are loved by God. We get caught up in the daily grind and forget that God is always working to restore us to our full potential. Whether we choose Sunday or another day, keeping the Sabbath is important. It helps us remember who we are, loved and cherished by God. It reminds us that our worth, doesn't come from what we achieve." [04:31](

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4. "Taking a Sabbath break isn't just about being idle. It's about learning to live in God's grace. It's a chance to step back, breathe and experience the peace that surrounds us. It allows us to connect with God no matter where we are. So friends, take some time to find what brings you Sabbath rest. It can be the simple things, walking, exercising, baking or cooking, getting tea and coffee with others, reading, listening to music, going to a park, plopping yourself down on the beach or the channel, just to be." [04:31](

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Transcript

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